Ethan Frome vs. Lester Burnham: a Lesson in Happiness It is always amazing when a classic novel can be compared with a recent work of fiction. One of these comparisons can be made between the Edith Wharton novel, Ethan Frome, and the new movie, written by Allen Ball, American Beauty. The key difference between these two masterful pieces of fiction is that the lead characters take different stances on the control of their fate. Ethan …showed first 75 words of 1045 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1045 total…happiness again because he suffered the woes of never taking a chance to fulfill his dreams; he never took a chance to be happy. The country singer, Garth Brooks, puts it best when he sings “Life is not tried it is merely survived If you’re standing outside the fire.” Ethan Frome stood outside the fire and died a bitter old man. Lester Burnham died a happy man, something all of us strive to be.